“Are you excited to see Tina?” Bette asked, smiling at her sister, as they reclined in their plush first class seats…the Porters and Thompsons streaking across the sky at thirty-two thousand feet. They were on their way to Seattle, for what they hoped to be the first of many Thanksgivings spent with the newest members of their family.

“Bette, I have been waiting 15 years to see that girl of ours. I have missed her so much over the years. In fact, I think if Nica and Leslie hadn’t come into your life, and then mine…I may have gone against Tina’s wishes, and marched over to her house, pounding down her door…forcing her to talk to me. I love that girl.” Kit shook her head, feeling for at least the thousandth time, sadness over the loss of a friendship she had treasured during the seven years Tina had been with her baby sister. “So, the answer is yes…I am very excited to see her.” Kit laid her head against the back of her expansive chair, letting out a soft laugh. “Besides, how could I not be? Tina and Nica are the only two people in this world that have been able to keep you in line!”

Bette joined her sister in laughing, knowing full well that it was as true a statement as could be. “You’re right about that!” A mischievous look came across her face, as she thought about her past, and the two women who had brought so much into her life. “You have to admit, I really do have excellent taste in women!”

A soft sigh escaped Kit’s lips as she closed her eyes and smiled, grateful for all the love that has surrounded Bette year after year. “That you do Baby Girl…that you do.”


~ ~ ~


“Mom, when are they going to be here?”

Dani had just run down the stairs for about the third time in the last 45 minutes. She was so excited to see Bette again, plus she was really excited to have a chance to talk to Milaine. Dani remembered the beautiful young woman from the gallery. She reminded her of Bette in her demeanor. Very sophisticated, very classy, but what stood out the most for Dani was finding out about Milaine’s interest in art. Dani loved talking to her Mother about art and her paintings, but was really looking forward to talking with someone closer to her own age. Even though Milaine was a senior in college, and Dani was still in junior high, the fact that they were both still in school, and the fact that they were “the daughters,” would help close that age gap…well, at least Dani hoped Milaine would see it that way, and will want to talk to her.

Tina just shook her head and laughed at Dani’s impatience, very much enjoying the fact that her oldest child was so happy about her and Bette being together. She looked up at the clock, just as she had done the other times Dani had asked the same question, and smiling, gave her the same answer. “Honey, give them some time to get to the hotel, and change. They should be here around 2:30 to 3:00. Which means that they will be here any minute, so relax. Why don’t you come in and help me with the cookies?”

“Oh…all right, Mom.” Dani sulked her way down the remaining stairs, wishing she had skipped asking her Mom about Bette’s arrival this last time. She had pushed it one time too many, and now had to help with something she didn’t want to. If she had just kept her mouth shut, she could be heading back upstairs to her room, instead of heading back into the kitchen, where she had already spent some of yesterday and this morning, helping with the preparations for the feast tomorrow.

Tina couldn’t help but laugh at her daughter’s change in moods. “Honey, you don’t have to help. I just thought it would take your mind off the ticking of the clock. Plus, this way when you want to ask me again, when they are going to be here, you will be right next to me, and will save yourself a trip downstairs.”

Dani playfully flicked her Mother with the hand towel she had grabbed as she walked into the kitchen. “Very funny!” But then she lowered her head and Tina could see the slight blush on her cheeks. Dani shyly whispered, “I can’t help it. I’m excited.”

Tina walked over and wrapped her arms around her daughter, smiling. She leaned over and whispered into her ear, “I am too, Baby. I’m just hiding it better.” She giggled, letting Dani see the excitement dancing in her eyes. “I can’t help it, cause I know it’s going to be wonderful.”

Dani beamed at her Mother, feeling comforted that they were both sharing this same sediment. “Yea…it is.”

Just then the doorbell rang. Mother and daughter looked at each other, sharing a look of glee, and then turned to go answer the front door. “They’re here!” Dani squealed as they both got to the kitchen door frame at the same time, trying to squeezed through together, but managing to get stuck for a moment instead. They wiggled themselves free, but not before collapsing with laughter.

After gathering herself, but still giggling from their Lucy and Ethel moment, Tina opened the door to the smiling faces that represented her family’s future. Before she could say a word though, she heard what had always been music to her ears. “Baby Girl!!!”

“Kit!!!” The two women literally jumped at each other, wrapping themselves in the others arms, rocking back and forth. “Oh my God Kit. I so happy to see you!” Tina’s eyes filled with tears, feeling the weight of missing this woman’s friendship for so many years. “I can’t believe you’re here,” she whispered.

“Damn right I’m here. I had to come and see for myself the new woman in my sister’s life, that has her giggling like a school girl every time she says your name.” She looked back at Bette, smiling, then let go of Tina, but held onto her hand and twirled her around. Nodding, she gushed, “My my, Miss Thing, no wonder she’s giggling all the time…girl, you look spectacular!”

Tina blushed at the compliment. “Look who’s talking…you look fantastic!”

Kit just waved her hand. “You know me. As long as it fits and it’s comfortable, I’ll buy it. I leave it up to Leslie and Milaine to tell me if it is in style or not. *****, I’d still be wearing my bell-bottoms from the seventies, if I had my way!”

Tina and Kit both heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. “As happy as I am that you two are now reunited, do you think the rest of us can say hello, and maybe get off this front porch?”

Tina’s hand flew up and covered her mouth, embarrassed that she had been so wrapped up in seeing Kit again, that for a moment she had forgotten about her other guests “God, I’m sorry Baby, come in.”

Milaine walked in next, giving Tina a big hug, as Tina whispered, “welcome to our home Sweetheart. I have your room already for you,” in her ear. Then Leslie stepped up and held her hand out for Tina to shake. “It’s so nice to see you again, Tina.” Tina ignored the hand Leslie had offered, and pulled her into a hug. “Thanks for sharing your holiday with us, Leslie. I feel like I know you already, from everything that Bette has shared…welcome.”

Leslie chuckled, immediately warmed by Tina’s open sincerity. “Well, let’s hope it was good.” Tina laughed. “Oh, it was all good…in fact, I think I owe you a very big thank you.” She was thinking back to the phone conversation that Leslie had with Bette, after which her partner was able to release so much of her guilt over moving on without Nica. Tina smiled at Leslie. “We’ll have to talk about that later.”

“Ok, Ok…” Bette softly stomped her foot. “Do you think I could get a hug and a kiss from my partner, before I have to get back on the plane for New York!?”

Tina giggled and didn’t hesitate to pull Bette into her arms. “Hi Baby,” she whispered. And then to both the surprise, and the delight of the three women and one teenager circling them in the doorway, she leaned forward, and ever so gently kissed Bette. Once there, her lips didn’t want to let go. She had missed having this dazzling mouth on hers. So, they stood there, two women who had been, “once upon a time lovers”, and who were now, “brand new lovers”…oblivious to anyone else…that is until they were serenaded by a chorus of throats being cleared, and feet stomping all around them.